Screening for Thalassaemia to be Conducted Earlier Friday, May 2 2008 

Abu Dhabi and Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and Umm Al Qwain and health and life and sharjah and updates eupdate 11:43 am

Haematologists in the UAE have come up with a decision to screen people for thalassaemia quite early in life in a bid to prevent marriages among carriers of the disease. The move is being planned in wake of the fact that pre-marital screening of the disorder hasn’t proved helpful in preventing the birth of new patients.

Present Scenario in the UAE

At present, more than 6 percent of UAE nationals suffer from the disorder though there is compulsory pre-marital screening for blood-related disorders. As per the latest move, screening is to be done at the school-going stage itself so that individuals and families are spared the pain of cancelled weddings (which in turn is avoided in order to prevent heartache caused by the breaking of emotional ties already established).

Pre-marital thalassaemia screening came into place in the UAE two years back. Even then, there hasn’t been a drop in the number of new babies born with the disorder.

Thalassaemia

Thalassaemia is a genetic blood disorder in which there is a breakdown of red blood cells. Patients require regular blood transfusions in order to survive. Couples who are carriers of thalassaemia have a 25 percent chance of producing a thalassaemia-major baby.

 

MoH Taking Steps to Curb Bird Flu Threat Monday, Nov 19 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Dubai and UAE and health and updates eupdate 6:56 am

                                                                                       H5N1 Virus

Following a bird-flu outbreak at a farm in the Eastern Province of close neighbour Saudi Arabia, the UAE government is undertaking steps to prevent the spread of the epidemic in the emirates. The Ministry of Health is constantly monitoring the region in collaboration with regional health authorities. 

 

Nurses on Visit Visas to UAE can Work Tuesday, Nov 13 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Dubai and UAE and expatriates and health and updates eupdate 9:23 am

There is a shortage of nurses in both public and private sectors in the UAE. According to a recent announcement by the UAE Ministry of Health, nurses coming to the UAE on visit visas will now be allowed to work here. Such nurses will be permitted to take the nursing examination of the Ministry of Health and take up work in the private sector.

The Ministry of Health is planning to take steps that will encourage more expatriate nurses to join the job front in the UAE. This includes a reduction of the number of years mandatory to serve at public sector institutes after graduation to 2 years.

At present, expatriate nurses are provided free education by the Ministry of Health, but qualified nurses have to work at medical institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Health for at least 3 years.

 

‘Clean Up UAE 2007’ Campaign in December Tuesday, Nov 13 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and health and life and sharjah and updates eupdate 6:48 am

Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) will organize ‘Clean Up UAE 2007’ campaign on December 12, 2007. the drive aims to mobilize over 20000 participants at different natural and man-made environments across the seven emirates.

With every passing day, the environment faces global warming threats in the name of solid waste disposal, desertification, wastage of energy, etc. The ‘Clean Up UAE’ campaign is an attempt at creating renewed environmental vigilance in this regard.

Since its introduction in 2002, the campaign has been instrumental in bringing together governmental, non-governmental and individual efforts to clean up the environment of UAE.

 

National Diabetes Registry Starts Tomorrow Tuesday, Nov 13 2007 

Abu Dhabi and UAE and health and life and updates eupdate 6:35 am

In order to collate data regarding diabetes in the UAE, a National Diabetes Registry will be launched tomorrow in Abu Dhabi. The launch coincides with the World Diabetes Day that falls on November 14.

As part of the event, there will also be a walkthon in Abu Dhabi in order to spread awareness about diabetes. 10000 people have already registered themselves to participate in the same.

The registry is aimed at ensuring proper management of diabetes on a national scale.

 

UAE granted Malaria-Free Status by WHO Saturday, Oct 20 2007 

UAE and health and life eupdate 5:23 am

For continued efforts of the UAE government in eliminating the deadly disease of malaria, United Nations World Health Organization is granting the country a malaria-free status today. UAE Minister of Health Humaid Al Qutami will receive the certificate in a ceremony at Cairo that will be attended by WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan and 22 health ministers.

Malaria is a major health concern in many parts of the world even today. Out of 300 million people infected with malaria worldwide, at least 1 million succumb to death every year.